October 2018 is the sixth annual European Cyber Security Month (ECSM), an EU-promoted awareness campaign aimed at promoting cyber security and educating the public on how to protect themselves from online attacks.
The campaign, coordinated by government departments for security and cyber security across the EU, will focus on weekly themes; with the first week’s theme being basic cyber hygiene and safet. Participants will be encouraged to examine their online practices and identify potential security risks attached to the ways they engage with the internet, including protecting sensitive data, avoiding phishing and creating strong passwords that will be hard to guess.
The overarching message of this year’s campaign is “cyber security is a shared responsibility!”, endeavouring to remind users to take responsibility for their own safety and security online. In addition to raising awareness of general online security, the campaign aims to generate specific awareness of network and online security, both in personal and business contexts. As cyber-attacks on individuals and companies increase exponentially year on year, it becomes increasingly imperative for users to consider ways in which they can protect themselves, their data and their business.
ECSM features tie-in events throughout Europe, including a hacking challenge in Prague, a cyber security-based storyline on a popular TV show in Malta, and a security-themed film festival in France. There will be conferences and training events in 29 countries, ranging from educational exercises in schools to business-focused conventions; online coding courses to open events covering basic email security.
European Cyber Security Month was first introduced as a pilot project in 2012, spearheaded by the EU Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA). Since then it has grown in scope and ambition, accessing contributions from the public and private sector; and partnering with similar cyber security awareness events held through October in the USA, Canada and Australia.
